This is perhaps a fleeting example of what we were told would be the permanent outcome of liberation and democratisation of culture: High art being embraced by the masses. A composer in every rehearsal studio, musicians exploring themes of humanity and existence on every radio station. Encorporation of high culture into modern forms. A genius on every street corner.

The pioneers of space music. Their early, wandering period flirting with mysticism in between loosing their first front man and achieving world-wide fame with darkside of the moon is in some respects their most interesting. Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk and the rest of the rest of the 'krautrock' movement would not have existed.

Great! Piper is certianly arresting.Are you suggesting that it is more profound than their more famous offerings?

Yes. And I'm pretty sure the Idiot-Savant diagnosis was specifically invented for people like Syd. Without him the band was basically just some talented musicians. A meaningless poem that pretends to have meaning. But I do like most of their stuff prior to Darkside of the Moon.